Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
College instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a college instructor. College instructors usually study business, education, or psychology. 56% of college instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 28% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 3,368 real college instructor resumes to see exactly what college instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for college instructors are the University of Phoenix and the University of Phoenix.
There are also many online college instructor courses to help get the education required to be a college instructor.
There are certain college instructor certifications that you should consider. These college instructor certifications include Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) and Basic Life Support for Healthcare and Public Safety (BLS).
What education do you need to become a college instructor?
What degree do you need to be a college instructor?
- Bachelor's, 56%
- Master's, 28%
- Associate, 10%
- Doctorate, 4%
- Other Degrees, 2%
What should I major in to become a college instructor?
- Business, 15%
- Education, 10%
- Psychology, 9%
- English, 9%
- Other Majors, 57%
Most common colleges for college instructors
| College instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Phoenix | 10.60% |
| Wayne State University | 8.61% |
| New Mexico State University | 6.95% |
| California State University - San Bernardino | 6.62% |
| Michigan State University | 5.96% |
Best majors for college instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 14.8% |
| 2 | Education | 10.0% |
| 3 | Psychology | 8.7% |
| 4 | English | 8.6% |
| 5 | Elementary Education | 6.4% |
Best colleges for college instructors
The best colleges for college instructors are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
A college instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for college instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become college instructors.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
3. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
5. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
6. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
7. North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$9,101
Enrollment
23,708
8. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
9. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
20 best online courses for college instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. Canva for college students
In this project the learner will learn how to use Canva for their college journey. Canva is an online graphic design program that allows you to create and design all types of documents, graphic design compositions and more. Canva is a great option for those looking for a user-friendly and easy-to-use platform to create attractive designs for their resumes. Canva has many elements that are free and it gives you a lot of freedom when designing. In addition to this, Canva has paid content that...
2. Human Anatomy & Physiology I
In this specialization, you will receive an introduction to human anatomy and physiology! Together, we will explore foundational concepts as well as the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of the human body as it pertains to five major body systems: the integumentary (skin), skeletal, muscular, nervous, and endocrine (hormone) systems.\n\nThese courses will utilize a free, open-source text (https://openstax.org/details/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e)with supplemental activities and...
3. College Algebra with the Math Sorcerer
College Algebra Course with HUNDREDS of Video Examples:)...
4. Easy Anatomy and Physiology (Platinum Edition)
An Easy Guide to Learning the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body...
5. College Mandarin Chinese on Your Own Beginning Level
Learn One Year's College Chinese Curriculum in Just Two Months and Save Ten Thousand Dollars of Tuition...
6. College Algebra, Pre-Calculus, & Trigonometry Explained
Master College Level Algebra with our Step by Step Video Tutorials. Over 4500 Practice Questions! Ace your Algebra Exam!...
7. Complete Mathematics Masterclass: College & University Level
All the Applied Mathematics Needed in Science, Programming, Engineering, IT & Business - Theory, Examples & Exercises...
8. Public Speaking for College Students: Become a Great Speaker
Public speaking may be the single most important skill for long-term success and you are unlikely to learn it in college...
9. Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors
Human Anatomy...
10. College Level Advanced Linear Algebra! Theory & Programming!
Linear Algebra (matlab - python) & Matrix Calculus For Machine Learning, Robotics, Computer Graphics, Control, & more !...
11. The Ultimate Unofficial Udemy Online Course Creation Guide
Learn the tips and tricks of one of Udemy's top instructors - how to create online courses that sell. (Unofficial)...
12. The Beginner's Guide To Understanding Algebra 1 & Algebra 2
Master The Fundamentals of Algebra 1 and Algebra 2 and be ready to pass any test!...
13. English Literature: Be as Informed as a Literature Graduate
The development of English Literature from its earliest texts to the present day...
14. Learn Algebra The Easy Way!
Algebra Review - Slope, Graphing Linear Equations, Exponents, Factoring, Solving Quadratic Equations, & Radicals...
15. Implementing Positive Behaviour Management in the Classroom
Practical Strategies to Address Behaviour Issues in any Classroom...
16. Algebra 2 & Trigonometry: A Complete High School Curriculum
Includes videos and over 300 pages of quizzes/worksheets (answer keys provided!)...
17. The Complete AP and College Physics Course
Master the College/AP physics from classical to modern physics, then test your knowledge with 300+ practice exercises!...
18. General Biology I: Foundations of Biology
An essential course in Biology for students of all ages...
19. Linear Algebra for Data Science & Machine Learning - Math
Complete linear algebra - Mathematics for data science, machine learning & Deep Learning - Math for Data Science Algebra...
20. Become an Algebra Master
Learn everything from Algebra 1 and Algebra 2, then test your knowledge with 1,150+ practice questions...
Top 10 most affordable universities for college instructors
The most affordable schools for college instructors are University of Florida, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for college instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for college instructors.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
5. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
9. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
10. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for college instructors
The hardest universities for college instructors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Stanford University, and Northwestern University.
Some great schools for college instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for college instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
2. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions rate
4%
SAT average
1,497
3. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
4. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
5. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
6. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
7. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
Admissions rate
30%
SAT average
1,339
8. George Washington University, The
Washington, DC • Private
Admissions rate
42%
SAT average
1,380
9. Brandeis University
Waltham, MA • Private
Admissions rate
31%
SAT average
1,398
10. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for college instructors
The easiest schools for college instructors to get into are Gwynedd Mercy University, holy names university, and oklahoma wesleyan university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a college instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for college instructors.
1. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
2. Holy Names University
Oakland, CA • Private
Admissions rate
70%
SAT average
849
3. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
4. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
5. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
6. Holy Family University
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,017
7. Nyack College
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
999
8. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
9. Iona College
New Rochelle, NY • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,089
10. Lewis-Clark State College
Lewiston, ID • Private
Admissions rate
100%
SAT average
1,009
Average college instructor salary by education level
| College instructor education level | College instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $48,413 |
| Doctorate Degree | $56,909 |
College instructor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common education, training, and library questions.
Search for college instructor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025